Toyota Jerez test notes 2006-07-19

Returning from a hot grand prix at Magny-Cours, Panasonic Toyota Racing
encountered similar conditions at the start of this week's three-day
test programme in Jerez. Third driver Ricardo Zonta and test driver
Olivier Panis were on hand to work on...

Returning from a hot grand prix at Magny-Cours, Panasonic Toyota Racing
encountered similar conditions at the start of this week's three-day
test programme in Jerez. Third driver Ricardo Zonta and test driver
Olivier Panis were on hand to work on tyre testing. The team's tyre
programme will be the main focus this week due to the fact that this
will be the last test before the summer break.

Therefore, the team will
need to collect data for the next three races, which are all expected to
have high temperatures, thus making a big influence on the tyre choice.
Ricardo and Olivier will continue tomorrow while race drivers Ralf
Schumacher and Jarno Trulli will arrive on Friday to finish off the test
week.

Ricardo Zonta:

"We put in many laps today on a busy track and in these hot conditions.
The car performed well and I did not have any problems. I worked on long
runs the whole day to compare tyre compounds for the next race. We also
did some set-up work to find a good balance for the car. Tomorrow we are
planning on continuing long runs to take advantage of these condition
for the Hungary race as well."

Olivier Panis:

"Today we got a lot done and made it through our whole program. This
test is similar to the one before Magny-Cours in that it is quite hot
and we also had some wind to deal with. Just as Ricardo, I also did
some long runs and found some positive results. We will try to improve
tomorrow and better our lap times, but overall I am happy with today's
work and results."

Gerd Pfeiffer, Test Team Manager:

"This week we have to push hard especially having to gain information
for three races. The hot temperatures we are experiencing here are a
big advantage in regards to Hockenheim and Hungary, which are two races
known for being some of the hottest races in the calendar. Besides
testing the performance of the tyres and learning about the degradation
in this heat, we are also working on smaller race items to prepare and
improve on our reliability."